Skincare Order; Most Effective Order to Unlock Your Skin Potential

girl applying skincare order on her face

Have you recently invested in skin health products to improve the appearance and health of your skin? Simply applying these products haphazardly won't yield the best results. To maximize the benefits of your skincare regimen, it's vital to follow a proper routine.

Using cosmetic products in the wrong order can impede their effectiveness. For instance, if you apply a thick cream before a runny serum, the cream may hinder the serum's complete absorption into your skin as described by Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology. Adhering to the proper skincare order is crucial for ensuring that each product is fully absorbed. Let's explore the best skincare order that will leave you with glowing and radiant skin.

Why the “Order”?

Many certified dermatologists, such as Dr. Heather Rogers, suggest using skincare items in a practical order to get as much absorption into your skin as possible. Doctors say that our skin acts as a barrier to prevent any material from entering our body. Hence it is impossible that the cream or serum you apply to it will be entirely absorbed by it. To make maximum absorption you need proper layering of skincare products.

Dermatologists suggest using water-based skincare items before oil-based items, and applying thinner texture products before thicker, oilier, or creamier products for best results. This is so that products with thinner textures can absorb first and not be hindered by thick creamy ones.

The skincare order that you have to follow for day and night is a bit different. At night you need more recovering and hydrating items whereas during the day you need products that can help you protect your skin from radiation and dirt. We’ll explain both in this article.

Daytime skincare order steps

Morning Skincare Order

Mornings can be tough for your skin. All that dirt and UV radiation from the sun can damage and dull your skin. Hence, morning skincare order mainly focuses on protection and prevention. We mainly focus on moisturizing and using SPF.

The basic steps for morning skincare order are:

•    Cleanser
•     Toner
•     Antioxidant serum
•     Eye cream
•     Acne spot treatment
•     Moisturizer
•     Sunscreen

Step 1: Cleanser

The cleansing step is essential to remove all the dirt and debris from your skin and to make it reading to apply other products. There are two main types of cleansers;

1-     Oil-based Cleanser

2-    Water-based cleanser

Oil-based Cleanser:

To remove oil-based impurities like sebum and waterproof makeup from your skin, use an oil-based cleanser. It provides a deep cleanse while preserving the natural oils of your skin. This type of cleanser is suitable for all skin types, whether dry or oily.

Water-based Cleanser:

Whereas water-based cleansers remove other impurities such as sweat and dirt. These cleansers contain surfactant that removes oil and other impurities. Suitable for oily skin and acne-prone people. 

Make sure that when you use water-based cleansers, use ones with mild ingredients as they can irritate your skin.

(NOTE: For best results use an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based one.)

Step 2: Toner or Astringent

It's possible to still have dirt on your skin even after using a cleanser. To refresh your skin, toners can help by removing dead skin and adding hydration. However, if you have dry skin, it's best to avoid astringent. Astringents are alcohol-based and can help remove excess oil from your skin. Additionally, both toners and astringents can assist in reducing pore size.

Step 3: Antioxidant Serum

Free radicals can cause many skin problems such as wrinkles, dull appearance, and dark spots. The next step in your skincare order should be the use of antioxidant serums (e.g. Vitamin C and E serums). These agents protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Step 4: Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to wrinkles, puffiness, and darkness. Use an appropriate eye cream to address aging signs and swelling. Skip this step if your moisturizer already

Step 5: Acne Spot Treatment

Acne spot treatments are a necessary step in your skincare order. These help to heal acne scars and dark spots on your face. You can use Retinol face serums.

Step 6: Moisturizer

Moisturizing your skin is a must-do step in proper skincare order. They have a thick and creamy texture and, hence should be used after using serums and treatment agents. This is so that they don’t block the activity of thinner textured agents.

Moisturizers tend to hydrate your skin and heal the skin barrier. For dry skin use regular products that have glycerin and ceramide in them and if you have an oily skin type then use oil-free moisturizers.

Step 7: Sunscreen

The most crucial step in your morning skincare order is the use of SPF. Sunscreens help your skin from damaging radiations (UVA and UVB) from the sun as they can lead to aging marks and dullness furthermore, can also cause skin cancer.

Dermatologists suggest their patients use SPFs with a broad spectrum (30 or more).

Nighttime skincare order steps

Night Skincare Order

At night, your skin has the opportunity to recover from the damage it has endured throughout the day. It's also a good time to use treatments such as exfoliators and skin peels, which can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

 To begin your nighttime skincare routine, start with a cleanser, toner, and eye cream as previously mentioned, and end with using moisturizer and night cream. You can add different treatments in between for healthier and clearer skin. Night creams are optional but for better and more hydrating skin more is less.

Night Time Skincare Treatments

Dermatologists advise against using harsh skin treatments in daylight as the sun's radiation affects sensitive skin more. Treatments you can add to your nighttime skincare order are;

Ø  Exfoliator or Clay Mask

Ø  Acid Treatments

Ø  Serums

Ø  Spot Treatment

Exfoliator or Clay Mask

To achieve a fresher and plumper look, it is important to remove dead skin from your face using exfoliating agents. This will also help clear clogged pores and prevent acne and other skin problems. However, it is important to note that exfoliation should not be done daily. Consult with a dermatologist or read the instructions on your exfoliator to determine how often it should be used for optimal results.

Likewise, clay masks also play a role in unclogging skin pores, and removing excess oil, and dirt from your skin. Use once or twice a week.

Acid Treatments

Acids like glycolic acid (an exfoliator), salicylic acid (remove dead cells), and hyaluronic acids (for hydrating skin) are being used for better and faster results. Avoid using these if you have a sensitive skin type or face irritation on the applied area.

Using Serums and Spot Treatments

Add serums to your skincare order as they are a direct source of ingredients and work much faster. They have a variety of benefits depending on the type you use and give you faster and more promising results.

For example, serums like vitamin E are said to be great for dry skin type. Others vitamin C and retinol which help to deal with hyperpigmentation and dull skin. Retinols also help to remove spots and acne scars on your skin.

It's important to keep in mind that everyone has a unique skin type, which means that the steps mentioned may not work for everyone. However, there are always alternative options available. A good skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated and consists of 10 steps. While the treatments mentioned can help achieve quicker results, using a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF is essential. If you choose to incorporate additional products into your routine, it can help improve and nourish your skin more efficiently.